33 travel ban fines issued in first week

POLICE Scotland has issued 33 fixed penalty fines during the first five days of the country’s tough new Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Figures released by the force reveal nine fines were handed out i n the Lothians and Scottish Borders.

The other hotspots were Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire, which both recorded eight offences.

People living in Level 3 or Level 4 areas should only leave their council areas if it is deemed ‘essential’.

On Friday last week, more than two million people across 11 council areas were moved to Level 4, while another ten local authority areas were placed in Level 3.

Fines start at £30, doubling to £60 if they are not paid within 28 days. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to £960.

The Scottish Government said the new travel laws, which cover western and central parts of the country, were needed to prevent the virus spreading to areas where it is less prevalent.

The police have repeatedly said enforcement would be used only as a ‘last resort’.

Meanwhile in the past week, 392 fixed penalties were issued for Covid breaches of all kinds and there were 37 arrests.